Akbar's acquittal spurs call for control of court<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
While the release of Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung from
\ncorruption charges will soon become a past issue, the country
\nbadly needs a judicial commission to ensure the rule of law and a
\nsense of justice, a former Supreme Court judge says.<\/p>\n
Benyamin Mangkoedilaga suggested that the House of
\nRepresentatives immediately endorse the bill on a judicial
\ncommission to enable an independent party to exercise control of
\nthe courts, including the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
\"The country acknowledges the Supreme Court as the ultimate
\ndestination for people seeking justice, but sadly no institution
\ncan examine whether or not the Court properly implements the
\nlaw,\" said Benyamin, who is known for his courage in issuing a
\nverdict in 1994 that annulled the government's ban on Tempo
\nmagazine.<\/p>\n
Benyamin said the commission would have the authority to
\nexamine a court's decisions, including the Supreme Court, as well
\nas to question judges who issued controversial verdicts.<\/p>\n
\"The presence of a judicial commission is badly needed now,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Court acquitted Akbar from all charges on
\nThursday, canceling the lower courts' decision to sentence Akbar
\nto three years in prison for corruption involving Rp 40 billion
\n(US$4.8 million) of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds.<\/p>\n
\"The verdict should fulfill academic requirements by
\nincorporating various opinions from legal experts. It has
\noffended people's sense of justice.\"<\/p>\n
Despite skepticism that Akbar's acquittal would set a
\nprecedence in difficulties in putting corrupt officials behind
\nbars, Benyamin expressed optimism that the public could play a
\npivotal role in legal reform.<\/p>\n
He said if the verdict fulfilled people's sense of justice,
\nAkbar would lead Golkar to victory in the general election and
\nwin the first direct presidential election.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot say that the country's judicial system is free from
\npolitical interference. Akbar's case is a good example. Now,
\npeople are the only hope to determine the future of legal
\nreform,\" Benyamin said.<\/p>\n
\"If the verdict violates people's sense of justice, neither
\nthe Golkar Party nor Akbar will win the elections.\"<\/p>\n
Golkar looks certain to nominate Akbar as its presidential
\ncandidate following the Supreme Court's verdict.<\/p>\n
Another former justice Bismar Siregar said the President and
\nthe Vice President, in their capacity as the heads of state, had
\nthe authority to oversee the performance of courts in upholding
\nthe law.<\/p>\n
\"I admit that the country only has corrupt people to combat
\ncorruption, but we should not give up. We have to keep on
\nfighting until the arrival of leaders who have integrity,\" Bismar
\nsaid.<\/p>",
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